Optimization of Utilities Capacity at Aircraft Heavy Maintenance Center Using Linear Programming Models

Abstract

In aviation industry, aircraft maintenance is critical in ensuring safe flight to end customers. This study evaluates the aircraft maintenance services performance in an Indonesian aircraft manufacturer and services company with the intention of developing a model for maintenance optimization. The optimization model was build based on Mixed Integer Programming model and solved using Microsoft Excel’s Solver feature. The model calculates optimum profit based on two main factors, the amount of aircraft serviced per type and maintenance resources utilization. Aircraft serviced in this company can be divided in two type, fixed wing and rotary wing, with each type having its own aircraft models with their own variations of maintenance service inspections. Resources utilization are measured by the following factors, manpower, serviceable area (hangar size) and capital. The result shows that the optimum model able to attain an average of 90% resource utilization with total revenue around IDR 64 billion (about USD 4.5 million with exchange rate of IDR 14.000 per dollar).